Using Intervention Mapping to develop a parent-focused intervention to reduce TV and other media use among children 6 to 9 years of age

Background: Media is a potential contributor to child obesity, not only because little energy is expended while viewing, but also through concurrent consumption of high-calorie snacks. Research has shown that reducing TV viewing among young children may help prevent the development of obesity. Methods: Fun Families is a 3-year randomized controlled trial of a parent-focused, multi-component intervention to reduce TV viewing and other media consumption among children ages 6 to 9. Intervention Mapping (IM), a methodology combining theoretical and empirical evidence with community input (parents), was used to identify: (1) critical learning objectives for parents and children; (2) methods and strategies for effective intervention; (3) critical implementation issues. Results: Key intervention elements were identified by reviewing existing literature and by conducting focus groups with parents of children ages 6 to 9. Intervention activities address knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, attitudes, outcome expectations, social support related to parent-child communication, and family routine related to media use. Five main behavioral objectives are: (1) reduce TV to < 2 hours per day; (2) turn TV off when no one is watching; (3) no TV with meals; (4) no TV in the bedroom; (5) engage in fun activities instead of media use. Methods include modeling, skills-training, behavioral journalism, and edutainment. Parent input indicated that a parent-child workshop and newsletters were viable delivery mechanisms for the intervention. Conclusions: IM provides an effective methodology for the development of innovative parent-focused interventions to reduce the potentially harmful effects of TV watching and other media use in early childhood.